Black7

Before San Andreas, Rockst*r copyrighted and bought domain names for about a half dozen "fake" titles. Why? So they could keep us guessing because even fake news stirs interest in a game. This one is interesting though, because they only patented one name.

As far as the domain being camped.. recent court decisions have made it clear that copyrighted names remain the sole property of the copyright holder, including domain names. So if Rockst*r wants Vicecitystories.com, all they'd have to do is petition a court to sieze the domain name from the current holder. Vice City is already copyrighted by them, and is unique enough that they wouldn't have to show much else to get a decision in their favor. A few years back alot of people tried buying certain domains, like microsoft.com and others thinking they could force the real companies to pay them big bucks if they wanted that domain. It worked for a while, until companies decided they shouldn't have to pay other people for use of their own copyrights. The courts have since ruled that this isn't legal and the companies get the domains, free, unless the domain holder wants to pay lawyer fees and copyright infringement lawsuits...

As far as the TV show copyright, that could be true or it could be to cover animated cutscenes in the game so people can't use them without permission or to cover people trying to use the game to make thier own 'home movies" which alot of people are doing these days as a new art form.

thoughtcrime

It worked for a while, until companies decided they shouldn't have to pay other people for use of their own copyrights. The courts have since ruled that this isn't legal and the companies get the domains, free, unless the domain holder wants to pay lawyer fees and copyright infringement lawsuits...